The retail price of regular gasoline this week was 172 yen per liter on average nationwide, up 0.6 yen from last week.
The price has risen for 7 consecutive weeks and has been at the highest level for the first time in about 13 years.
Kagoshima Prefecture has the highest retail price of regular gasoline in Japan.
The retail price in the prefecture increased by 0.7 yen from last week to 180.4 yen per liter, exceeding 180 yen for the first time in 14 years.
According to the Petroleum Information Center, which is commissioned by the government to investigate gasoline prices, the average retail price of regular gasoline in Kagoshima Prefecture as of February 21 is 180.4 yen per liter, up 0.7 yen from last week. have become.
Since September 2008, it has exceeded 180 yen for the first time in 14 years, and it is the highest in all prefectures nationwide following last week.
Since there are many remote islands in Kagoshima prefecture, transportation costs tend to be high and the average retail price tends to be high, and in Amami Oshima there are places where it exceeds 190 yen.
A man who visited a gas station in Kagoshima City to refuel said, "Because I live on a pension, the price increase will sound. It's quite difficult, but I can't live without a car, isn't it?"
Another woman said, "Even if you try to save money, it's tough because a car is a necessary part of your life."
On the other hand, gas stations in Kagoshima City, which purchase without going through a wholesale company, still keep the price in the 160 yen range.
However, he said that the amount of subsidies to the former sales company has already reached the upper limit, and as the crude oil price soars due to the tightening situation in Ukraine, it may be necessary to raise the price in the future.
Ryuichiro Nakamura, CEO of a gas station, said, "Compared to various aspects of the past, such as the Gulf War, there is still some spare capacity and it is a situation where we are overwhelmed. However, Russia is in a place where no one knows the future. It's only a matter of time before the price can't be kept unchanged, and I'm getting scared. "